Method of preparing masking films and applying them to printing stencils



March 19, 1929. v E. A. OWENS METHOD OF PREPARING MASKING FILMS AND APPLYING THEM TO PRINTING STENCILS Filed Oct. 5, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR. Z a wand a 0 I BY r W 1 7 ATTORNEYS.

March 19, 1929. OWENS 1,706,038

METHOD OF PREPARING MASKING FILMS AND APPLYING THEM To PRINTING STENCILS Filed OCT-,5, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. 5 ||l| moo/at a. 0m

BY m 2 rm ATTORNEYS.

Patented Mar. 19, 1929.

UNITED STATES EDWARD A OWENS, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO SELECT-ASINE PATENT orrlce.

-. SYSTEM, IN 0., OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION OFCALIFORNIA.

METHOD 0P REPARING mAs'xINe PILMs' [AND APPLYING THEM TO PRINTING srENcILs.

Application-filed October 3, 1927. Serial No. 228,570.

This invention relates to a method of preparing masking films and applying them to printing stencils and it is an improvement over the methods described in the following patents issued to Edward A. Owens et al., entitled Method of delineating or reproducing pictures and designs, N 0. 1,254,764,-

issued January 29, 1918; Edward A. Owens Method of. making'multi-color pictures,

issued February 17 ,1925, No. 1,526,928; and Jacob H. Steinman, Method of producing pictures in colors, No. 1,444,531, issued February 6, 1923.

The patents above referred to relate to different methods whereby multi-colored' pictures or designs may be produced by forcing colors, such as paints or thelike, through a stencil screen, portions of which are temporarily .masked out as the successive colors are applied. One patent describes a method whereby a multi-colored picture or design is produced by overlaying the colors, i. e.,-pilin them one on to 01": the other. The secon patent distinguishes over the first to the extent that the colors employed will not overlay a preceding color, nor will embossed or raised efiects be obtained. Conversely, the colors are laid side by side in adjoining areas. The third patent is similar to the second with the exception that the color areas are outlined or defined by an intermediate key line. The method forming the subject matter of the present invention is applicable to any one of the methods specified in the above patents.

The object of the present invention is to vide amethod ored sketch or design generally improve and simplify methods of the character described; to provide a method whereby a picture or design containing one or more colors may be delineated or reproduced on a semi-smooth or rough sur ace, such as paper, card-board, linoleum, leather, fabrics, wood, glass, metal, etc., by forcing the colors .through a printing stencil, portions of whichare temporarily or permanently masked out as the successive colors are. applied; andmore particularly, to f1proof preparing masking lms and applying them to the printing stencil. The method is shown by way of illustration in the accompanyin drawingsin which:

Fig. 1 is a view 0 the-original multi-colto be reproduced, Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the master stencil showing the outlining of the desi -ing film applied to the traced or otherwise reproduced thereon,

Fig. 3 is a perspective'view of the master stencil showing it prepared for the roduction of the first masking film which 18 to be applied to the printing stencil,

Fig. 4 is a view showing the masking film applied to the transfer sheet,

F g. '5 is a perspective view of the printmg stencil showingit prepared for the first co or run,

Fig: 6 is a view of the from the printing stencil 23.

been run,

, Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the master stencil showing it prepared to produce the second maskin film,

Fig. 8 is a view showing the second masktransfer sheet,

view of the printing tproduct obtained ter the first color Fig. 9 is a perspective stencil showing the second masking film applied thereto,

Fig. 10 shows the completed product of the printing stencil after the second color run, l r Fig. 11 is a perspective view oft-he printmg stencil showing the method of position ing and applying the masking films to the printing stencil.

The method forming the subject matterof the present application may for purposes of description be considered as involving threemam steps.

First the preparation of the master stencil secondly, the production of the masking lms from the master stencil, and third, the application ortransfer of the masking films to the printing stencil.

For the purpose of render'mgthe description of the present method .as ..:imple as possible, the sketch sists, as shown in Fig. 1, of a red circular disc, as indicated at A, enclosing a blue s uare Bin the center of which is formed a w ite circular center C. The number of color runs re uired for a desi of this character will e two, to-wit, re and blue, as the color of the design is applied happens to bewhite.

rst step necessary is top'rovide a master stencil such as shown imFig. 2. This consists of a. rectangular frame 2 over which is stretchedor otherwise secured, a comparatively fine fabric, such as silk bolting cloth or design to be repro- I duced is made as simple as possible and conthe card or surface to which or the like. This material is fairly transhere referred to as permanent is only so ble' With the masterstencil prepared as shown in Fig. 3, it is ready for the reduction of 'the first maskin film indicate at 7 in Fig.

, parent and the design to be reproduced is placed below the fabric and the outline of the design, to-witythe two circles indicated at A and C, together with the square B is traced thereon with link or any other suitable material. Two markers are also traced oh the silk as indicated at 3 and 4, these being provided for purposes of register and alignment as will hereinafter be described. After the outline of the design has been traced or otherwise, applied to the surface of the master stencil, all of the surface thereof is blocked out with a permanent filler such as indicated at 5, i. e., the permanent filler completely closes the meshes of the material formed thereon is placed below the master stencil. A quantity of film forming material, such as shellac or varnish, is then placed on top of the stencil, and-it is forced through the open portion of the stencil indicated at C by means of a squeegee or the like. The film-forming material is thus forced through the opentportion of the stencil and as such is deposited on the transfer sheet shown in Fig. 4. The printing stencil indicated in is often purposely made large to have two or more designs applied thereto; in this case it will only be necessary to make two masking films, one for the design indicated, at 8 and one for thedcsign indicated at 9. In actual pracwith the exception of that surface which tice several masking. films are often made comes within the circle A. This is temporarily left open as it is later on masked out with a temporary blocking ,out material as shown in Fig: 3. I

All the; art work required in connection with the present method is performed on the master stencil, and outside of that the master stencil only performs one function, to-wit, that of producing the masking films shown in Figs. 4 and 8 whichare later transferred to the printingstencil, as shown in Figs. 5 and 9. With the master stencil prepared as shown in Fig. 2, it is ready to receive the temporary blocking out material. This material is shown at 6 in Fig. 3. In other words, practically all that portion of the screen which was left open in Fig. 2 is temporarily blocked out with the material shown at 6,,with the exception of that small area indicated by the circle 0, and when this blocking out material has set and dried, the master stencil is ready for the production of the first maskin film whichin this instance is shown at? in ig. 4.

- Before proceeding further with the description, it might be advisable to specify certain materials which are suitable for the different blocking out steps, for instance the permanent filler indicated at 5' in Fig. 2 may consist of cellulose lacquer, shellac, varnishi etc. The temporar blocking-out materia indicated at G may glue, muci'lag or the like. It is preferable toemploy masking materials of difl'erent composltions, for instance the blockingout or masking ma ial with oils, spirits orthe' like, while the material referred to as 'temporary'blocking out material happens to be water soluble.

'4. The materia employed for this purpose "may, be .the same as the permanent filler indicated at 5, i. e., it may consist of cellulose lacquer, shellac, varnish or the like. A transfer sheet constructed of paper or the like and having a soluble surface coating for attaching to large stencils so that anumber of prints can be run simultaneously. However, it is often desirable to file away duplicates for future orders as will hereinafter he described. The moment the masking film has been applied to two of the transfer; sheets as shown in Fig. 4, and while they are still wet, it is possible to transfer or 'apply them to the printing stencil shown in Fig. 5,. but before describing this transfer or application. a brief description of the printing stencil will be submitted. .This stencil, as previously stated, is'shown in Figs. 5, 9 and 11. Referring to Fig. 11, it will be noted that the printing stencil consists of a base section D to whichiis hingedly secured at one end, as at 10, a rectangularshaped frame 11. A silk bolting cloth or like material is stretched over the frame as indicated at 12 and to this extent it is a duplicate of the master stencil, the only difference being that it is substantially twice I ployed. This is placed on .the base member D, asshown in Fig. 11 and it is placed and held in apredetermined position by three or more registersv or guides attached to the 'b'ase'as indicated at 14, 15 and 16. Markers are formed on the plate similar to thoseindicated at 17 '(see Fig. 1). The original design shown in Fig. 1 is placed on the plate E in-register with the markers and the outlineof the design is then traced I onthe printing stencil as indicated by the circles 18' (see Fig. '11). The area of the stencil exterior of the circles is then filled with a permanent filler suc h.as indicated at Y 5, and when the stencil is so prepared it is ready for the application of the maskin films, shown in Fig. 4. This is accomplishe asfollows;

.When the masking film has been transferred from the master-stencilto the two or more transfer sheets,"-as shown in Fig. '4,

these sheets are placed cn" the late in have been made and as many duplicates as register with the markers 17. T e printing desired, the master stencil is cleaned off to stencil is then lowered from the position remove the film-forming'material, and it shown in Fig. 11 so that contact is made is then washed in water, as thetemporar between the surface of the bolting cloth blocking "out material indicated at 5, suc and thefilms 7 applied to the transfer sheets, as glue, mucilage or the like is soluble and as these are still wet or adhesive they therein. When the temporary masking mawill adhere to the lower surface of the terial has been completely removed and the printing stencil. A light pressure is then master stencil dried, a s cond coating of i applied to' the-upper surface of the stencil temporary masking material is applied, as

and the film 7 will thus be forced against shown in Fig. 7, i. e., the entire area within the fabric and will tightly adhere thereto. the square B is covered with the temporary The transfer sheets may then be removed, masking material, as indicated at 22, and for instance by moistening them and the when this is set and dry, the master stencil masking films 7 are thus left on the printing is ready for the production of the second so stencil and will assumethe position shown set of masking films. -This is accomplished in Fig. 5. Before proceeding further, it by placing a transfer sheet below the stencil, might be stated that .the transfer sheets then placing the film-forming material on preferably consist of thin transparent or top of the stencil and forcing it through semi-transparent paper such as tissue-paper the open portion thereof by means of a or the like, to the upper surface of which is squeegee or the like. The film-forming maapplied a thin coating of mucilage or other terial is thus deposited on the transfer sheet soluble matter that will release the film when as shown at 7 in Fig. 8, and when so demoistened. These transfer sheets receive; posited is ready for transfer to-the printthe masking film from the master stencil ing stencil. This is accomplished in the as shown in Fig. 4 and they are transferred same manner, as previously described, i. e.,

to the printing stencil as shown in Fig. '11 the plate E is placed on the base D and the by pressing the printing stencil against the transfer sheets having the masks 7 formed" films while they are in a wet .or adhesive thereonare placed in register on top of the condition, and the transfer sheets may then plate E, the printing stencil islowered into 05 be readily removed by merely moistening forcible engagement therewith and pressure them, asthis will loosen the adhesive si1ris applied to the upper surface of the stencil face on the transfer sheets and thus release s t at the film will be pressed into the the films, or in other word er it th to lower surface of the stencil fabric and seremain on the printing stenciLf curely adhere thereto. The transfer sheets 100.

With the first masking films applied to are then moistened so as to partially disthe printing stencil as shown in Fig. 5, the solve the adhesive surface formed thereon printing stencil is ready for the first color and the transfer sheets ma thus be peeled run, to-wit, the color red, and as the surface off, thereby leaving the mas ing films on the of the printing stencil is closed exterior of surfaceof the printing stencil. The printthe large circle A and interior of the small ing stencil so prepared is shown in Fig. 9 circle C, it'is obvious that the'red color to and when the film has thoroughly dried be run will only pass through the open .porand set, the stencil is ready for use. The tion of'the printing stencil which lies beonly surface open on the printing stencil tween the two circles, this being shown at at this time is that portion within the square 110.

8 and 9 in Fig.5. The caigd or other ma- B and surrounding the inner circle C, the

terial to which the color is to be applied is innen'ci rcle 0 having been previously closed shown in Fig. 6. It is placed on the base by the first masking operation, and the surplate D between the aligning pins 14, 15 face exterior of the square and within the and 16. The stencil is lowered down into large circle A having been closed by the contact therewith, the color placed on application 'ofthe last mask. The cards top of the stencil and it is then forced which were previously printed 'with the first through the stencil and on to the cand 20 color run, to-wit, re and shown in Fig. 6, (see Figs. 5 and. 6) by passing a squeegee have been dried and as such arcireplaced over the stencil. Two red circles such as one by one between the positioning register shownat 2i will thus appear on the card guides on the base. 'The printing stencil 20 (see- Fig. 6), and'the first operation is is lowered and the color blue is applied on completed after as many cards as desired the upper surface and is forced through the I have been made. While the first color is open fabric by means of the-squeegee. The

being run through the printingstencil shown cards are removed one by one as the color 2 .in Fig. 5, the art department can be busy blue is applied and they are then completed reparing the second masking film which as shown in Fig. 10, the design when com-w is to be applied to the printing stencil. pleted consisting of an inner white circle, This is accomphshed as follows: a surrounding blue square, and an exterior After the first set of films shown in Fig. 4 circle of red. The cards may be cut in two along the dotted lines indicated at 25 and when dry are ready for delivery.

To fully appreciate the advantages of the present method when comparison is made with the old methods disclosed in the patents previously referred to, it should be remembered that the art work, to-wit, tracing, blocking out-,etc. is done directly on the printing stencils where the old methods are'cmployed. ties up the printing stencils while the block-v ing out work, etc. is being done in the art department and while the blocking out 111atcrial is drying. By the present method the art work, such as tracing, blocking out, drying, making of masking films,- .etc. is

done in the art" department on the master stencil only and while the printing stencil is I. in use, hence the printing stencils will not "be tied up at any time'except when the masking films are applied. .This requires only a few minutes between each color run.

By the old methods, it a customer orders for instance 1000 posters or designs and there is a chance of a repeat order at some future time, it is necessary to store away the printing stencils. A great quantity of stencils gradually accumulate in this ma nner, thereby, increasing cost and quantity of equipment. The present method reduces the amount of equipment or stencils'required as the stencils may be cleaned 0H for re-use the moment an order is completed due to the fact that transfer sheets with films thereon may be kept in stock for duplication of future orders. "The old methods required duplication of hand or art work where more thanone design was grouped on a stencil or on several stencils. This increases the time required; it

, adds to the cost; and it does not lend itself to accuracy or precision work. The present method insurcsabsolute accuracy as the only art work requlred'is, done on the master stencil. This in turn produces the masking films and as these may be applied to one or I more stencils, it is obvious that it eliminates duplication of hand or art work where more than one design is grouped on a single stencil, or several stencils, and it also insures accuracy and uniformity throughout.-

While a more or less primitive type of printing stencil is illustrated in the present application, it is obvious that the present .method is not limited thereto, as it is equally applicable where stencil printing machines are employed (see the patent to Edward A. Owens entitled Stencil printing machine, No. 1,490,400, issued Aprilrlt'), 1924).

\Vhile certain features of the present invention are more or less specifically described, I wish it understood that various changes may be resorted to within the scope This is a disadvantage as it of the appended claims. Similarly, that the materials and finishes of the several parts employed may be such as the manufacturer may decide or varying conditions or ;,uses may demand.

Having thus described my-invention, what 1 I claimand desire to secure by Letters Patsheet below the master stencil, forcing a film-forming material through the permeable surface of the master stencil so as to deposit the material in the form of a film on the transfer sheet and then transferring the film from the transfer sheet to the printing stencil. I

2. A method of preparing masking films and applying them to printing stencils which consists in tracing the outllne of the mask on the surface of a permeable master stencil, blocking out the surface exterior of the outline so as to leave the surface interior of the outline permeable, placing a transfer sheet below the master stencil, said sheet being coated with a soluble material, forcng a film-forming material through the permeable surface of the master stencil so as to deposit the material in the form of a film on the coated surface of the transfer sheet, placing the transfer sheet with a .masking film thereon below the printing stencil, applying the masking film to the surface of the printing stencil, and then diswhich consists'in forcing a film forming material, through a stencil, and depositing the film forming material in the form of a film on a transfer sheet, which is coated with a soluble material, placing the transfer sheet with the masking .film thereon against'the surface of a printing stencil, applying the masking film to the surface of the printing stencil, and then dissolving the coating on the transfer sheet sheet.

- EDWARD A. OWENS.

to remove the transfer 

